Packing a punch

Hundreds of boxers march at opening ceremonies of World Boxing Championships

October 23, 2007|By Chicago tribune

At the head of the procession, super-heavyweight Nelson Hysa cut an intimidating figure carrying the flag of Albania.

Square-jawed and looking every bit of 201-plus pounds, Hysa led nearly 700 fighters marching up State Street on Monday for the opening ceremonies of the AIBA World Boxing Championships.

"This is very well-organized," he said through a translator. "And I'm proud to represent my country."

The boxers from more than 100 nations lined up in alphabetical order, Albania through Wales, as at least 1,000 people lining Monroe to Lake Streets cheered and shouted. The U.S. team, apparently a bit out of order, brought up the rear.

The 11-day competition is an Olympic-qualifying event, the first in Chicago since 1959, and the response from those who had come to see the fighters and those who happened to be caught up in the crowd was energized.

The tournament will take place at the UIC Pavilion from Tuesday through Nov. 3, when the championship matches take place. Jonathan Meldrew screamed the name of every country as boxers passed by in their colorful team sweat suits. Only Montenegro wore suits and ties for the occasion.

"They look like they're in the boardroom, not boxers," said Meldrew, 37.

In a rare bit of English, Eichin Alizade, a heavyweight fighter from Azerbaijan who speaks three other languages, said this of his visit to Chicago and the ceremony: "Very good, very beautiful."

The walk ended at the Chicago Theatre, where the city put on an elaborate show to entertain and welcome the fighters, media and officials in attendance.

In perhaps the most inspiring moment, the crowd was informed that boxing legend Muhammad Ali was in attendance.

Every boxer stood in jubilation, and the crowd, including Mayor Daley, who called Ali a "great Chicagoan and a great human being," began chanting, "Ali, Ali, Ali."

Ali waved his hands over the standing throng of fans and proved he remains an international star.

Edward Akora, a 140-pound Ugandan fighter, jumped out of his chair with everyone else.

"This was the first chance I've ever had to see him," said Akora, 25. "It was a really great opportunity. He impresses me so much."

The international competition, which Chicago volunteered to host just seven months ago after plans to hold it in Moscow fell through, is a chance for the city to show itself off as it tries to woo the 2016 Summer Olympics.

"We're honored to have all of you here for this historic championship in this historic theater that bears our city's name," Daley said to the boxers. "The next 11 days will be very exciting for Chicago."

The city is angling against six others to be the host city for the Olympics, and in a solid plug for Chicago, AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu spelled it out.

"This proves the city of Chicago has total capacity to organize bigger events," he said.